Did you know that more than 80% of show dogs are handled by their owners? To celebrate the dedication and enthusiasm of owner-handler exhibitors the American Kennel Club has created the new AKC National Owner-Handled Series. This non-titling competition will be held at select dog shows across the country.
The AKC National Owner-Handled Series will be conducted following Best of Breed judging in each breed ring. All dogs in the BOB competition (including WD & WB) will stay in the ring after the judge makes their placements in BOB competition. The ring steward will ask all professional handlers, household members and current assistants to professional handler to leave the ring and then the judge will then select the Best Owner-Handled (BOH). The dog and its owner will continue to accrue points for any group placements or Bests in Show.
The top-ranked dogs from the AKC National Owner-Handled Series are posted on the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Points Ranking page. Rankings of the dogs competing in the Series are compiled based on the Best of Breed, Group, and Best in Show placements in this specific Series competition (See Point Schedule). The end of year competition for the AKC National Owner-Handled Series will be held in conjunction with the AKC show in December. Dogs that finished ranked in the top ten (plus ties) for their breed during the qualifying period will be allowed to compete in the competition. Dogs exhibited by professional handlers on the day of the event are not eligible for this competition. Dogs exhibited by current assistants and household members of a professional handler on the day of the event are not eligible to enter this competition. Current assistants that are eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship (meet age and amateur status requirements) may participate in NOHS.
Professional handlers are defined as any person who belongs or has belonged to a professional handlers’ organization, distributed rate cards, or otherwise advertised or represented themselves as handling dogs for pay within the last five years.
For more information about the Series or if you have questions about hosting these events, please contact the AKC Events department at (919) 816-3579 or eventnews@akc.org.